Theatre of Thorikos

Theatre of Thorikos

Αρχαίο Θέατρο Θορικού
View of the ancient theater.
Shown within Greece
Alternative name	Theatre of Thoricos, Theatre of Thoricus
Location	Thorikos, Attica, Greece
Region	Attica
Coordinates	37°44′17″N 24°3′13.500″E
Type	Theatre
History
Founded	7th/6th century BCE
Satellite of	Athens
Site notes
Condition	Ruined
Ownership	Public
Public access	Yes
Website	[1]

The Theatre of Thorikos (Greek: Αρχαίο Θέατρο Θορικού), situated north of Lavrio, was an ancient Greek theater in the demos of Thorikos in Attica, Greece. It is one of the oldest known Greek theaters and it was built around 525–480 BC. The theater is unusual in its design, as it is elongated instead of the typical semicircle.

History

Theatre of Thorikos in 1819

The Thorikos theatre was built in several stages. The first construction phase is dated to the end of the archaic period around 525–480 BC, the theatre can be considered a very early Greek building.

Theatre of Thorikos in the 1840’s

The special shape of the theater was previously explained by the fact that it would have been built in its entirety when the shape of theaters was not yet established. More recently, the shape is considered to be explained by the fact that expansions have been made to the theater's stand in stages over the oldest part after it's construction. The theater became elongated when it was expanded in the classical period of the 4th century BC, halfway between changes were made to it as early as 300 BC.